Town Meeting article aims to slow traffic near Hopkinton schools

Saturday

May 3, 2014 at 12:01 AM

By Jonathan PhelpsDaily News Staff

HOPKINTON – An effort is underway to find ways to slow traffic on Hayden Rowe Street near the school campus.The campus includes the Hopkins, middle and high schools.Town Meeting voters will be asked to spend $400,000 for design and construction of traffic calming efforts on that stretch of road in Article 17. The plan includes reconstruction of the road and sidewalks, according to the warrant article.The meeting starts at 7 p.m. Monday in the middle school auditorium, 88 Hayden Rowe St.Selectmen voted 4-1 to recommend approval at the meeting. Selectmen Michelle Gates opposed the recommendation.The Appropriation Committee and Capital Improvement Committee also recommend approval.Town Manager Norman Khumalo said the plans are only conceptual at this point and a consultant will be hired to present plans. Some ideas include berm bumpouts, traffic islands and striping.The article calls for the $400,000 to be used for "design, improvement, rehabilitation, construction and reconstruction." Some measures could include traffic signals, public lighting and police communication installations or fire alarm, according to the motion."The goal of the project is to refine a solution through a collaborative process for the traffic issues on Hayden Rowe," Khumalo said.He said the problems include speeding and pedestrians being hit by vehicles.The speed limit is 40 mph in front of Hopkins School and the high school, but drops to 20 mph in front of the middle school, Khumalo said."We need to calm traffic right now, the speed is very fast," he said. "We can’t have people driving 40 mph in front of the schools."He said it is dangerous for many students who cross the street. Crossing guards are present during peak hours.There are also homes on both sides of the street, Khumalo said.Last year, 13-year-old Shayne Desroches was killed in a crash while riding his bicycle about a mile from the school.Khumalo said the town is hoping to hear from the public as plans progress.

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